If I see a heart shaped chocolate in the shop I might buy one for my daughter because she likes hearts. I am going to give her money for the prefects cupcake stall tomorrow, but I would give her money for a cupcake stall if they were zombie themed cupcakes too.

I think it might be quite an American concept to give something to your own children for Valentine's Day.

I knew someone who once sent their child flowers from a "secret admirer" as they had broken up with their boyfriend not long before and her mum wanted to cheer her up. It totally backfired as the poor kid was convinced she was being watched by a stalker

My parents bought my sister and I a box of chocolates each year for Valentines Day when we were kids. No cards, just the box of ferroro rocher's every year.They were told they could definitely not have children so wanted us to know how much they loved us (naw... )

Actually the card giving at all is a only from the last 80 years or so, before that people would , have a ball and young people would be paired up in a mock betrothal for one year often resulting in marriage.

Not sure why it changed (haven't googled yet) but I was reading an old extract in the paper about some one who was complaining about the young people today wrecking the tradition of Valentines day by passing out gifts and cards and heaven forbid even sometimes anonymously.

It is about a priest (?) who against the wishes of the powers that be decide young men were better soldiers if unwed, continued to wed young people who were in love, he was executed and made a Saint.

So yeah bit weird asking your kid to be your Valentine because you feel lonely

To me V Day is about celecrating your romantic love and is pretty much a marketing ploy aimed at teenagers who think the love they have discovered is something that nobody else in the whole world has ever felt.

I would never even think of giving something to the kids. I don't give anything to DH either.

We don't give each other or our kids valentines in our family, though my mother does send them to the kids from the U.S., and they seem to enjoy them.

What is very common in American schools is kids giving out little paper valentines (either handmade or store bought ones, often "character"-based) and/or very small treats to their classmates. It's not uncommon for a teacher to give children a class list so that they can address little valentines to each classmate. Of course, giving is not mandatory, but if you choose to give, you give to the entire class.

Back in the olden days, when schools were less considerate, kids were not directed to give to everyone. My parents have stories of some kids received 2 dozen valentines, while other kids received zero. Stuff like that can really crush a person. I'm glad that the clear trend is toward an "all or nothing" policy.

Interestingly, I have so many recollections of receiving valentines at school, but no recollections of receiving Christmas lollies or Easter chocolates at school from classmates, something that is popular my children's school here.

Anyway, as part of cross-cultural appreciation, my Aussie-American children will be giving a small treat to each of their classmates tomorrow (their idea): an individual Fredo covered with heart stickers & a little Happy Valentine's Day note.

Now, I know that the MAMs (Mums Against Minties) might not approve, but that's been well covered in another thread...

My kids love the idea of Valentines day for 'mum and dad only' and last year I made a family Valentines special dinner with flowers on the table, candles and choc hearts and the boys both dressed up.This year DH is away for work so I will still do a Valentines dinner for the 3 of us but not as big a deal as last year.

My boys love having 'restaurant meals' at home and having the table all set up with candles.

In spite of being in an almost constant state of motion while looking after the kids and trying to keep things together at home, it can seem as though parents have managed to get nothing on the to-do list done by the end of the day.

A French court may have ruled out Nutella as a baby name, but that doesn't have to stop you from taking inspiration from the supermarket (or bottle shop). See what parents in the US have chosen for their delicious little ones.